Two Russian Men in Native Costume c. late 19th century

Curator: This print, by Utagawa Yoshikazu, is titled "Two Russian Men in Native Costume." It offers a glimpse into cross-cultural encounters during a time of shifting global dynamics. Editor: The coarse texture of the paper gives the piece an almost ethnographic feel, like a field study. There is a certain irony in the high hats contrasted with what is considered 'native costume'. Curator: Exactly. How were these men perceived, categorized, and ultimately othered by the artist and the intended audience? The piece raises questions of representation. Editor: The flat planes of color also speak to the printmaking process, the labor involved in carving each block, and the resources needed to produce it. Curator: And we must question, whose gaze are these men subjected to, and what assumptions and prejudices might be at play in their portrayal? Editor: It makes you consider the power of representation and the labor involved in producing it. Curator: A fascinating print, prompting crucial conversations about cultural exchange. Editor: I am struck by how much the materials of art affect its message.